Kentucky 2010

Kentucky (2009 Statistics)

• Joker Phillips takes over for Rich Brooks as the Wildcats head coach this year.  Under Brooks Kentucky went to four straight bowl games and beat two ranked opponents.  Unfortunately, they lost to 23 other ranked opponents.  They’ve been decent recently going 8-5, 8-5, 7-6 and 7-6 over the last four years.  But this is a team looking to go to the next level. 
• If they’re going to go to the next level, they need a winning record in the SEC. They never achieved that under Brooks or his predecessor or his predecessor’s predecessor, etc.  In fact, the last time UK had a winning record in the SEC was in 1977. 
• This year they need to find more balance on offense.  In 2009 they rushed for 191 yards per game, which was 21^st in the FBS and by far the best under Brooks.  However, they passed for just 140 yards per game, worst in the SEC, 114^th in the nation and by far the worst under Brooks. 
• Stability at Quarterback should help with the passing game.  Mike Hartline returns after suffering a knee injury in the fifth game last year.  He was also a starter for part of the time in 2008 but was benched in favor of dual threat Quarterback Randall Cobb.  He didn’t start again that year until the Liberty Bowl when Cobb was injured, but earned accolades as Kentucky’s Most Valuable Offensive Player in that game.  Last year Cobb returned to his true role of Wide Receiver and as long as Hartline stays healthy, he should be the starter. 
• Kentucky needs to improve on defense.  Defensively they struggled to put pressure on the Quarterback (last in the SEC in Sacks, 111^th in the nation). Their tackles for loss were last in the SEC.  And their rushing defense was 100^th in the nation.